Pete, inspired by geo-strategic legend's, Ghalib Kabir's comments, on August 14 and 16 2021, writes:
The Indo-Pacific undersea Sensor Array (which not only features
audio, but other undersea sensor technologies) is successfully picking up
Chinese nuclear and conventional submarines emissions in the Indo-Pacific. This
array (map below) is maintained and ultimately weaponized by Quadrilateral
(Quad) members.
Map above
is from page 54 “Map 4. The US ‘Fish Hook’ Undersea Defense Line” by (the
late) Desmond Ball and Richard Tanter, The Tools of Owatatsumi
Japan’s Ocean Surveillance and Coastal Defence Capabilities (2015, ANU
Press) at http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p309261/pdf/book.pdf?referer=444.
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Parts of the Array are of the well known deep water passive sonar
(SOSUS) technology for detection of submarines. Other seafloor sections
(some called Fixed,
Distributed System (FDS) nodes) consist of a higher
concentration of sensors to detect submarines and other vessels passing over
them in shallower water littorals and narrows.
The "Quad" Sensor Array can detect minute
submarine emissions. This includes Chinese nuclear and conventional submarines.
Many, maybe most, of the conventional Chinese Song-class and Yuans rely on Stirling
engine AIP. This AIP technology has relatively noisy moving parts (compared to
Fuel Cell AIP) and also suffers from a working depth limitation which cannot
exceed 200m. Even Chinese subs using AIP while sitting on the seafloor create
tell-tale emissions.
Chinese Type 093 SSNs even use the Sunda Strait rather than the Malacca Strait to pass through the Pacific to Indian Oceans and vice versa.
Indian Ocean Legs of the Quad Array
Several years ago the Quad Sensor Array was expanded from Port
Blair in India's Andaman Island territory, Indian
Ocean, to Chennai communications intelligence node (map below) on the east
coast of India.
(See more details of Chennai and other 2017- onwards Indian intelligence-communication network matters)
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The Indian Navy continues to expand an undersea (passive sonar)
and surface-sea (long-range radar and satellite) detection network to the
Seychelles and elsewhere in the Indian Ocean (see yellow stars indicating
Indian bases in the map below). India is also negotiating to build an airstrip
near Mauritius for P-8 maritime patrol aircraft. Chinese SSNs are major targets for detection.
(See more details)
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"China vs Taiwan/US..."
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteIt seems that TKMS may pull out from the Indian submarine competition After SAAB — The Makers Of Gripen Fighter Jet — Another Foreign Firm Could Pull Out Of India’s Submarine Project
"German group ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has said that it might not be able to move forward with the project as it finds the tender requirements “too restrictive”, The Economic Times reported."
"The German company entered the project when the Indian Navy expressed its requirement for a sea-proven Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). This was a crucial component as it provided the boats with the ability to stay underwater for more than two weeks, as opposed to the underwater endurance of 2-3 days in the submarines currently in service.
This requirement of a sea-proven AIP resulted in the removal of many shortlisted foreign vendors and left only Germany and South Korea as the contenders.
The other contenders, Russia, France, and Spain did have AIP technology but they were not suitable for a submarine and thus could not be demonstrated. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has also demonstrated its AIP technology, however, it is not yet sea-proven.
According to DRDO, this could take another 4-5 years. Reports also say that either India’s state-owned Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) or Larsen and Toubro (L&T) could be in the competition for building the boats."
/Kjell
Thanks /Kjell
ReplyDeleteYes I noticed that issue today. India's Project-75I seemingly going off the rails.
I'll do an article on that once I finish the Vizag satellite photos of nuclear subs.
Regards
Pete